Police trained to handle mental illnesses

Published: Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:04 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:04 a.m.

A group of Houma-Thibodaux law enforcement officers put their badges away last week and spent time thinking from a more psychological perspective.

A five-day crisis intervention training program funded by a Start Corp. grant allowed 20 area officers to learn about mental health disabilities and the best way to approach people who have them.

Start Corp. received the money from the South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority.

Law enforcement agents are often confronted with situations that require an understanding of mental health disabilities, said Karen Schilling, a project director with South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority. She was an instructor in the training — the first of its kind in the area.

Police officers are trained to deal with situations authoritatively, which is not always the best tactic with people suffering from mental health disabilities, Schilling said.

“Because they're trained to take control, to approach someone with a mental health disability like that, the situation can often go south quickly,” Shilling said.

She said the best method to de-escalate a situation with those individuals is with a gentle attitude.

“It teaches them to take a softer approach,” she said.

Schilling said it's as easy as asking the person his or her name or medical history.

The officers, who represented the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office, the Lafourche Sheriff's Office and Houma Police among other local agencies, received instruction on symptoms of specific mental health issues and how to identify them, Schilling said. They also did a fair amount of role-playing where they practiced the softer techniques.

Houma Police Sgt. Dana Coleman, one of the course participants, said much of what he learned is applicable to his daily police work.

“I enjoyed it,” he said. “It wasn't what I expected. It opened my eyes to a lot of issues that people with mental illnesses are dealing with and gave me a better understanding of the mental illness system.”

Start Corp. Administrative Director Mary Russo said the organization hopes hold similar sessions in the future.

“It was a needed and worthwhile training,” she said. “We're hoping to continue and do more.”

<p>A group of Houma-Thibodaux law enforcement officers put their badges away last week and spent time thinking from a more psychological perspective.</p><p>A five-day crisis intervention training program funded by a Start Corp. grant allowed 20 area officers to learn about mental health disabilities and the best way to approach people who have them.</p><p>Start Corp. received the money from the South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority.</p><p>Law enforcement agents are often confronted with situations that require an understanding of mental health disabilities, said Karen Schilling, a project director with South Central Louisiana Human Service Authority. She was an instructor in the training — the first of its kind in the area.</p><p>Police officers are trained to deal with situations authoritatively, which is not always the best tactic with people suffering from mental health disabilities, Schilling said.</p><p>“Because they're trained to take control, to approach someone with a mental health disability like that, the situation can often go south quickly,” Shilling said.</p><p>She said the best method to de-escalate a situation with those individuals is with a gentle attitude. </p><p>“It teaches them to take a softer approach,” she said.</p><p>Schilling said it's as easy as asking the person his or her name or medical history.</p><p>The officers, who represented the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office, the Lafourche Sheriff's Office and Houma Police among other local agencies, received instruction on symptoms of specific mental health issues and how to identify them, Schilling said. They also did a fair amount of role-playing where they practiced the softer techniques.</p><p>Houma Police Sgt. Dana Coleman, one of the course participants, said much of what he learned is applicable to his daily police work.</p><p>“I enjoyed it,” he said. “It wasn't what I expected. It opened my eyes to a lot of issues that people with mental illnesses are dealing with and gave me a better understanding of the mental illness system.”</p><p>Start Corp. Administrative Director Mary Russo said the organization hopes hold similar sessions in the future.</p><p>“It was a needed and worthwhile training,” she said. “We're hoping to continue and do more.”</p>